Nashua homecoming game honors killed player

Friday night's Homecoming game in Nashua-Plainfield honored senior Alex Potratz, who was killed after a car wreck Monday night.

"It's very moving and touching and it's comforting to know that other people are grieving also," said Kevin Potratz, Alex's father. "It's a parent's worst nightmare to have this happen."

Kevin Potratz served as honorary captain for the game. The school made him a copy of Alex's jersey, number 73.

But there were other ways they remembered Alex as well, starting with a moment of silence before the game. And, instead of running on individually as they were announced, players walked on together carrying Alex's framed jersey.

There's also talk of retiring his number at the end of the year.

Head Coach Ben Jass said these gestures are important to the team.

"Everybody loved Alex," he said. "We certainly miss him a lot and just want to make sure that as we play this football game he's here with us."

Earlier this week, a candlelight vigil was held for Alex. Friends packed the stands of the field Alex loved, remaining eerily quiet. But Friday's game was a very different atmosphere.

"With Alex with us, we're going to come out with some extra emotion," Jass said. "I think we're going to use that to help us in this football game."

As for Alex's father, he said that since his son passed, he has been calling Alex's voicemail – just to hear his son's voice.

Friday, he made that same call after the game, but not to listen.

"I told him I would call him tonight, even though I know he'd be watching the game, and give him the score," Potratz said.